Support Groups Directory

Types of support groups in Kenya

• NGO-facilitated groups — structured, trained facilitators, often tied to a referral pathway through organizations like LVCT, Wangu Kanja Foundation, or FIDA Kenya.
• Health facility-linked groups — hospital or clinic-based, may meet weekly, usually open to patients of the facility.
• Faith-community groups — variable quality; verify that leadership does not minimize or excuse GBV before referring.
• Online or telephone groups — useful where safety, transport, or stigma prevent in-person attendance.

Choosing a safe and suitable group

• Confirm trained facilitation — the facilitator should have basic trauma and safeguarding training, not just community goodwill.
• Ask whether members sign confidentiality agreements before joining.
• Check schedule consistency and what happens if you miss a session — punitive approaches are a red flag.
• Ensure the group model and size match the survivor's preference — some people prefer small closed groups, others open drop-in formats.

Safety in group settings

• You do not need to share your name, location, or full story to participate.
• If someone in the group makes you feel unsafe, tell the facilitator privately — you do not have to resolve it yourself.
• For in-person groups, consider varying your travel routes and timing to avoid predictable patterns.
• If your abuser finds out you are attending a group, treat this as a safety escalation — report it to your coordinator.

Referral follow-up and retention

• Record referral date, expected first attendance, and the name of who is following up.
• Treat repeated non-attendance as a review trigger — the barrier is usually practical (transport, cost, safety) not lack of interest.
• Coordinate with the counselor and NGO team on known barriers before closing a referral as unsuccessful.
• Outcome notes should reflect practical benefit and survivor-reported experience, not just attendance count.

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